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FLORIDA DEFENSE

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Published: January 8, 2009

MLB Brandon Spikes, No. 51

Hometown: Shelby, N.C. Year: Junior. Ht.-Wt.: 6-3, 245.

Scouting Report: First-team All-SEC pick and undisputed leader of defense. ... Selected as a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and a semifinalist for Lombardi Award. ... Leads team with 87 tackles, including eight for a loss of 27 yards. ... One of only five linebackers in the nation to have two interceptions returned for touchdowns.

Did You Know: Wears No. 51 because former standout linebacker Dick Butkus wore 51 when he played for the Chicago Bears.

NT Lawrence Marsh, No. 90

Hometown: Augusta, Ga. Year: Sophomore. Ht.-Wt.: 6-5, 305.

Scouting Report: Started last 12 games after recording two sacks as reserve in season opener. ... Had four tackles in win over Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. ... Earned his way into Urban Meyer's Champions' Club for performance in victory over LSU.

Did You Know: Participated in the American Legion Boys' State program as a junior, earned by participation in his local, county, and state government.

DT Terron Sanders, No. 92

Hometown: Bradenton. Year: Sophomore. Ht.-Wt.: 6-2, 300.

Scouting Report: Played in 19 games as a Gator with all 11 starts coming during 2008. ... His 21 tackles in Florida's 13 games are five times his season total tackles (four) from 2007. ... Recovered fumble against Georgia. ... Was in Coach Urban Meyer's Champions Club for his work on the defense that held Miami to just three points.

Did You Know: Ran his own lawn care business in high school, cutting grass and trimming trees.

DE Jermaine Cunningham, No. 49

Hometown: Stone Mountain, Ga. Year: Junior. Ht.-Wt.: 6-3, 250.

Scouting Report: Ranked fifth on team in tackles with 51. ... Tied for sixth in the SEC in sacks with six. ... Recorded key sack for 11-yard loss against Alabama in SEC title game. ... Honored as SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after nine tackles, including two for a loss of 10 yards, and a quarterback sack for a loss of 8 yards against Miami.

Did You Know: Most memorable moment in his athletic career was making the game-winning sack against his high school's biggest rival.

SLB Brandon Hicks, No. 40

Hometown: Jacksonville, Year: Sophomore. Ht.-Wt.: 6-2, 225.

Scouting Report: A key member on special teams and top reserve at all three linebacker spots, moved into starting lineup for five games. ... Best performance was against South Carolina, making early impact with QB pressure that produced interception that was returned for touchdown. Also recorded his first QB sack of the season and broke up two passes.

Did You Know: Worked at a Gainesville Cold Stone Creamery during the summer.

DE Carlos Dunlap, No. 8

Hometown: North Charleston, S.C. Year: Sophomore. Ht.-Wt.: 6-6, 290.

Scouting Report: Possesses a wing span of 88 inches. ... Leads SEC in quarterback sacks with nine. ... Tied his career-high with two quarterback sacks for a loss of 28 yards and a forced fumble against FSU. ... Had two blocked punts against Vanderbilt.

Did You Know: His mother is an elementary school principal.

WLB Ryan Stamper, No. 41

Hometown: Jacksonville. Year: Junior. Ht.-Wt.: 6-2, 232.

Scouting Report: Started 10 games, one at middle linebacker and nine at weakside linebacker. ... Led the squad and set a career high with seven tackles at Vanderbilt. ... Team captain. ... Broke his thumb during the Hawaii game and is playing with a cast.

Did You Know: Volunteered to learn all three linebacker positions in the Gators defense to make himself more versatile.

CB Janoris Jenkins, No. 29

Hometown: Pahokee. Year: Freshman. Ht.-Wt.: 5-10, 185.

Scouting Report: A freshman cornerback who enrolled at Florida in January 2008, he has started 11 of 13 games. ... Had three interceptions, including one in the end zone against Tennessee. ... Had a career-high nine tackles against LSU. ... Leads the team with 11 passes defended on the season.

Did You Know: As a child, hunted rabbits with his bare hands in sugar cane fields of his hometown.

CB Joe Haden, No. 5

Hometown: Fort Washington, Md. Year: Sophomore. Ht.-Wt.: 5-11, 185.

Scouting Report: Starter at cornerback in every game this season on way to second-team All-SEC selection. ... Second on team with 77 tackles. ... Led team with eight tackles, six solo, in SEC Championship Game win over Alabama. ... Also recorded third interception of season. ... Returned interception against Georgia 88 yards, fourth longest in school history.

Did You Know: As a high school quarterback, set Maryland public school record with 7,371 career passing yards and tied career record of 80 TD throws.

SS Ahmad Black, No. 35

Hometown: Lakeland. Year: Sophomore. Ht.-Wt.: 5-9, 190.

Scouting Report: Converted from cornerback to safety during the summer and has started every game since. ... Second-team All-SEC pick. ... Leads UF with six interceptions, tied for fifth in the nation, including two returned for touchdowns. ... Ranks second in the country in interception return yards, 191 on the season (average 31.8).

Did You Know: Has a tattoo on his left bicep that says, "Mama's Boy."

FS Major Wright, No. 21

Hometown: Miramar. Year: Sophomore. Ht.-Wt.: 6-0, 200.

Scouting Report: Third on team with 57 tackles. ... Had three interceptions, including a 32-yard return for TD against Hawaii. ... Returned a blocked field goal 37 yards against Kentucky that set up TD. ... Takes pride on being big hitter.

Did You Know: Can do a front flip - proven during the 2008 Gator Charity Challenge.

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